He looked at the six submissive and docile Pegasi before him.
Their defiance had turned to meekness, as if their very souls had been replaced.
Raylo could no longer suppress the burning desire in his heart to command the skies.
He glanced at the little creature perched on the white horse's head, grooming its silver fur with its small paws, and the corners of his mouth curled into a smile.
"My Lord, would you like to give it a try?"
A Knight, sensing what was on Raylo's mind, quickly stepped forward and took the white horse's reins.
'I'll have the kitchen prepare roasted geese for the great Lord Moonlight.'
Raylo nodded, strode to the white horse's side, and gently patted its warm neck.
This time, the white horse merely snorted in comfort and obediently tilted its body slightly, making it easier for him to mount.
Raylo swung himself into the saddle in one fluid motion.
He casually scooped up Moonlight, who was still grooming, and held it in his arms.
Moonlight squirmed in displeasure, its little paws scrabbling at Raylo's collar while it let out a muffled gurgle, as if calculating the eighteen roasted geese it was about to receive.
"Hold on tight."
Raylo murmured to Moonlight in his arms, then adjusted his posture and gently squeezed the horse's flanks with his legs.
"Up!"
He gave a low command.
The white horse understood. Its four hooves pushed off the ground forcefully, and its enormous wings unfurled with great effort.
WHOOSH! A powerful gust of air kicked up dust and grass from the ground. In the next instant, Raylo felt a weightlessness beneath him as a powerful thrust launched them off the ground, man and horse soaring straight into the clouds!
"They're... they're flying!"
The Knights on the ground let out a collective gasp, their heads craned back, their eyes locked on the white figure, their expressions a mixture of shock and envy.
After all, wasn't flying the dream of every Knight?
The wind howled in his ears. Unlike the bumpy ride of a galloping horse on the ground, this was a smooth yet rapid ascent.
The ground quickly shrank below, and his field of vision opened up dramatically.
The castle, the training grounds, the woods and fields beyond the walls—everything was presented before his eyes from a completely new angle.
Raylo's heart began to beat a little faster with excitement.
Never before had he felt the flow of the wind and the vastness of the sky so tangibly.
The white horse was clearly excited to be free again. It stretched its powerful body in the air, every flap of its wings filled with a sense of power.
Raylo could clearly feel the tensing and coordination of the muscles beneath him.
He tried to guide its direction, and the white horse's response was swift and precise. The coordination between horse and rider was surprisingly perfect.
For the first time, the entirety of the Black Stone Territory was laid out before him with such clarity.
Beyond Black Stone Town, neatly planned farmlands stretched into the distance. Although large tracts of land still awaited cultivation, they were already starting to take shape, and he could see a few farmers working in the fields.
The Black Water River, like a silver ribbon, nourished the land.
In the distance were the rolling Black Stone Mountain Range and the deep, dark forests, which served as both a barrier and a repository of unknown dangers and opportunities.
Moonlight, still in his arms, also seemed fascinated by the high altitude, its little head turning this way and that with curiosity.
It no longer seemed to mind having its grooming interrupted, instead widening its intelligent eyes to look down at the world below.
Suddenly, it stuck out a paw, pointed in a certain direction below, and a GURGLE came from its throat.
Raylo looked down and saw it was pointing toward the castle's kitchen chimney, from which smoke was leisurely drifting. He could even faintly smell the aroma of roasting meat.
"I know, I know. You'll get your roasted geese."
Raylo chuckled and patted its little head.
'Eighteen roasted geese in exchange for six Pegasi of immense strategic value. It was a worthwhile trade no matter how you look at it.'
Only then did Moonlight rub against his chest in satisfaction, find a comfortable position, and half-close its eyes, looking for all the world like a great lord who had finished his inspection and was ready to go home for his reward.
The wind brushed against his face, carrying the slight chill of the high altitude, yet it blew away the fatigue and stress that had built up over the past few days.
After circling a few times in the air and completely familiarizing himself with controlling the Pegasus, a reluctant Raylo guided the white horse to descend slowly.
The white horse elegantly folded its wings and landed lightly on all four hooves, the landing so smooth there was barely a jolt.
Raylo dismounted and patted the white horse's neck again. The horse, in turn, docilely nuzzled his arm.
The nearby Knights had already gathered around, their gazes fixed fervently on the man and his mount, their faces showing unconcealed excitement and envy.
"My Lord, this Pegasus…" one Knight couldn't help but speak, his voice trembling.
"Yes, it's excellent."
Raylo nodded.
"Have Captain Ed make the arrangements. Everyone must learn to ride a Pegasus!"
"A herd of Pegasi usually has dozens, even hundreds of members. We will capture more of them in the future."
The Knights cheered excitedly, shouting, "Long live the Lord!"
「Three days later.」
The faint light of early morning filtered through the window lattice, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the wooden floor.
Moonlight was curled up on a soft cushion at the foot of the bed, sprawled out on its back, its little belly rising and falling. Was that a satisfied trail of… drool… at the corner of its mouth?
'It must be dreaming of Roasted Goose Mountain.'
[Daily Intelligence Refreshed]
[1: In a tavern in the South District of Black Stone Town, there is a cook named 'Marlin'. Her skills are excellent, especially with roasted poultry. It is said that her family's secret cookbook contains a recipe for 'Honey-Glazed Vanilla Goose' that is considered a masterpiece.]
[2: In the newly cultivated wheat fields in the northern part of the territory, a small-scale outbreak of rust disease has appeared. The farmers are helpless, and there is a risk of it spreading. Rust disease is caused by a fungal infection, is highly contagious, and burning the infected wheat fields can effectively inhibit its spread.]
[3: A Hunter has reported sighting a rare colony of 'Vanilla Rabbits' on the edge of the Eastern Hills, numbering around thirty. Their fur is a high-quality material for making light Enchanted Leather Armor, and their meat is a delicious delicacy.]
[4: At the flea market in Black Stone Town, an old mercenary claims to possess a fragment of a Treasure Map leading to a 'Treasure Cave' and is looking for a buyer or partner. The so-called Treasure Map is too fragmented to determine the treasure's location or authenticity. However, this old mercenary was once an Earth Knight who fell from his rank due to injury. He was formerly a Senior Instructor in the Thunder Dragon Knight Order and possesses extensive experience in knight training. Perhaps, for you, he is the greatest 'treasure'.]
[5: …]
[6: …]
[7: Within the neighboring Red Leaf Earl's Domain, a conflict seems to have arisen over succession rights. Several Knights have already died in this struggle.]
[8: Your neighbor in the Western Territory, the Baron of 'Silver Moon Territory', has recently been frequently mobilizing his knight squadrons, setting up additional checkpoints on the border, and strictly inspecting passing merchants. He claims this is to eliminate bandits, but the real reason is the discovery of a small Silver Mine within his territory. Baron Silver Moon has already begun preliminary mining operations.]
[9: On a cliff in the northern part of the territory near the Black Stone Mountain Range, a small amount of the rare herb 'Starlight Grass' has been found blooming. This herb is an important ingredient for concocting various High Level Healing Potions and Magic Inks and is highly valuable.]
[10: In the eastern Black Stone Mountain Range and the Jade Swamp, a major upheaval is taking place. The former overlord, the Nine-headed Demon Serpent Hydra, has fallen into a deep slumber to accumulate power for its advancement. Its Demon minions, now without control, are running rampant. In the eastern part of the Black Stone Mountain Range, a Young Black Dragon, having just left the protection of its mother, intends to establish its own Dragon's Nest and build a Dragon Realm here.]